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Last week we looked at big cameras that help beginners make the jump to advanced photography. This week we're taking the opposite tack: Looking at versatile small cameras that you can take anywhere. These cameras weigh practically nothing, so you can carry them with you 24/7 in a backpack, pocket, or purse to capture those impromptu moments, or use them as an everyday alternative to your bigger, more full-featured camera.

The best (and biggest) camera in this category is the Canon PowerShot SD500 Digital Elph. The 8MP SD500 (along with the 4MP SD300 and the 5MP SD400) is thicker than the other cameras in the roundup, but it produces excellent images at zippy speeds. And though the LCD is the smallest in this roundup at just 2 inches, the SD500 is also one of the rare products in this category to include a viewfinder. A viewfinder can be invaluable on sunny days when it's too bright to effectively use an LCD to frame shots. Another tidbit of info: The price on the SD400 and SD500 is dropping significantly as Canon rolls out the new SD450 and SD550 (stay tuned for our reviews).

The other three cameras in this roundup are significantly thinner, at a little more than half an inch think. The 5MP Casio Exilim EX-S500 has a slightly larger LCD than the Canon's (2.2 inches), and also has some great perks like digital anti-shake, 30 easily accessible scene modes, and a beautiful finish which is available in several colors. We also appreciate its ability to capture video in MPEG-4 format instead of the usual Motion JPEG, letting you capture much more video on your SD card. The video quality isn't perfect, of course, but we love being able to shoot lengthy video clips on the fly without a camcorder.

Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T7 is roughly the same size as the EX-S500, and is also a 5MP camera, but it ups the LCD size to 2.5 inches. The camera has speedy performance, too, though the images aren't quite as good as what you'll get from the SD500 or the EX-S500. Still, the camera was tough, stylish, and fairly easy to use.

The Fujifilm FinePix Z1 comes in an elegant black with a beautiful 2.5-inch LCD on the back. The non-protruding 3X optical zoom is a nice touch, and though the camera gives you only average speed and picture quality, the Z1 is significantly cheaper than its peers. The Z1 also performs very well in low-light situations.

Which is the right camera for you? Check them out side by side in our comparison table, and read the full reviews to find out more.

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